While numerous conspiracy theories are circulating related to 5G, major US airlines are warning that the rollout by Verizon and AT&T will result in “catastrophic” disruption to aviation and the nation’s commerce.
5G will cause catastrophic description to aviation and commerce, US airlines warn
On Wednesday, telecommunication giants Verizon and AT&T will roll out their new 5G service, something that is both hotly anticipated and highly controversial, obscured by an endless sea of conspiracy theories.
However, one effect is not a conspiracy but a fact, according to a group of CEOs from US airlines. On Monday, they sent a letter to Biden administration economic and transportation officials, warning them of the impact 5G could have on aviation and commerce, The Blaze reported.
The letter was signed by chief executives from American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and Jet Blue, and UPS and FedEx leaders.
CEOs of major airline carriers said the launch could ground “huge swaths” of the US flights and leave “tens of thousands of Americans” stranded overseas,” according to the letter, which NBC obtained.
“Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies,” the letter stressed. “To be blunt, the nation’s commerce will grind to a halt.”
What danger does 5G pose for aviation?
In the letter sent to the Biden administration, airlines warned that signals from the future C-band 5G deployment emit signals that risk interfering with safety equipment pilots rely on in order to take off and land in inclement weather.
“Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded,” the chief executives from the major air carriers warned in the letter.
AT&T slams FAA, blames for lack of readiness
On Tuesday, AT&T has agreed “to temporarily defer turning on a limited number of towers around certain airport runways and to continue to work with the aviation industry and the FAA.” They will “provide further information about our 5G deployment since they have not utilized the two years they’ve had to responsibly plan for this deployment.”
“We are frustrated by the FAA’s inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it do so in a timely manner,” an AT&T spokesperson said in a statement emailed to NBC.
What is 5G?
Known simply as 5G, it stands for fifth-generation wireless technology. This enhanced broadband signal is expected to deliver ultra-fast internet speeds, massive capacity, and increased connectivity to users.
Among the enhancements over the prior 4G networks, 5G wireless technology is expected to be 20 times faster than its predecessor. 4G had a peak speed of 1GB per second, and theoretically, 5G could reach speeds of 20GB per second. 5G will offer very low latency, which refers to when data is sent and received.
